80+ photos of Tucson's baby elephant Penzi
- Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Happy birthday, Penzi! Elephant calf Mapenzi β Penzi for short β was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Penzi
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Penzi at almost a year old, weighing about 1,075 pounds.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi and Nandi spending time together.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooPenzi
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βShe teaches us all to love and protect elephants,β said elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds, of Penzi.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Although Penzi plays with Nandi the most, she's had good interactions with the rest of the herd. Pictured with Nandi here are Lungile and Semba.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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At 11 months old, Penzi is starting to get her tusks, her favorite food is cucumber and she still loves to play with her big sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi and Nandi are still close as ever, despite Penzi receiving etiquette lessons from Nandi in January.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi reached 1,000 pounds quicker than her sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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As a 10-month-old elephant, Penzi is starting to become more independent from her mom.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi continues to be social with the rest of the herd. This photo shows her with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.
Photos by Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi is now 10 months old and weighs 980 pounds.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with mom Semba, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi, seen here with big sister Nandi, enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo snow day
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Reid Park Zoo's elephant calf Penzi enjoyed her first snow day on Jan. 26, 2021.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi is now 9 months old and weighs 900 pounds.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi is pictured here with aunt Lungile and big sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Now 9 months old, Penzi is still as close as ever with her big sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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At 9 months old, Penzi enjoys creating muddy slip-and-slides with big sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Mapenzi β Penzi for short β was born to African elephant Semba on April 6. She joined sister Nandi, dad Mabu, brother Sundzu and aunt Lungile at the zoo.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Penzi likes to find things around her habitat to interact with β food to eat, a log to balance on or toys to play with.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Now eight months old, Penzi is still close as ever with sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Though sheβs growing more independent, Penzi loves her playtime with big sister Nandi.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Tucson elephant calf Penzi is now 8 months old and 815 pounds.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Elephant calf Penzi was born in April and is now tipping the scale at 735 pounds.
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Lately, Penzi has been loving hay, leaves and tree branches.
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Penziβs current hobbies include eating and keeping up with the rest of the herd.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Reid Park Zoo
A pesar de su creciente independencia, Mapenzi estΓ‘ interactuando y socializando mΓ‘s con el resto de la manada.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Reid Park Zoo
Mapenzi -Penzi para abreviar- naciΓ³ del elefante africano Semba, el 6 de abril. Se uniΓ³ a su hermana Nandi, su padre Mabu, su hermano Sundzu y la tΓa Lungile.
Reid Park ZooPenzi
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Reid Park Zoo
A los seis meses, la crΓa de elefante Mapenzi se ha convertido en una gran aficionada a la lechuga, el pepino y el heno.
Reid Park ZooMapenzi
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Born weighing 295 pounds, Mapenzi has doubled that five months later, now weighing 600 pounds. The Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, reopened at the end of August.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarMapenzi
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Mapenzi runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, on Aug. 25, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi picks up and chews on plants in her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, walks through her enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi (left), the four-month-old elephant calf, and her sister Nandi inside their enclosure at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, runs with the rest of her herd at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, gnaws on plants at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct,, on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo reopens
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Mapenzi, the four-month-old elephant calf, drinks water at Reid Park Zoo located at 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Aug. 25, 2020.Β
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Four-month-old Mapenzi enjoys hanging out with big sister Nandi. "She wants to be attached and learning everything Nandi is doing," said Reid Park Zoo elephant supervisor Cassie Dodds.Β Β
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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This photo of Penzi was taken around her 4-month mark.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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At 4 months old, Mapenzi weighs 546 pounds. She enjoys eating beet pulp, which is the root of a sugar beet soaked into an oatmeal-like texture.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Tucsonan will be able to again see the Reid Park Zooβs elephants and other creatures starting Aug. 28.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Penzi celebrated her 4-month birthday with her first dip into the mud wallow.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Mapenzi, born April 6, is very social with the other elephants in the Reid Park Zoo herd.Β
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Penzi continues to be timid around deep mud wallows but she has started to creep up to the side. Reid Park Zoo staff creates smaller puddles for her.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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At 3 months old, Mapenzi β Penzi for short β is learning to come when Reid Park Zoo keepers call her and has voluntarily allowed staff to draw blood without giving any reaction.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Penziβs teeth have come in, so sheβs been interested in eating bits of hay, grass and leaves. Her favorite food is lettuce.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Two-month-old Mapenzi was born at Reid Park Zoo on April 6, 2020.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Two-month-old Mapenzi can now put things in her mouth using her trunk.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zooβs baby elephant, Mapenzi, is learning to cool herself down in the mud wallows, though she is still a bit cautious.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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At 1 month old, Reid Park Zooβs baby elephant, Mapenzi, is starting to use her trunk more accurately.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zooβs baby elephant, Mapenzi, turned 1 month old on May 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant was born on Monday, April 6.
Courtesy Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Here's a shot of Reid Park Zoo's baby elephant, pictured with big sister Nandi and mama Semba.Β
Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zooβs African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Courtesy of Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
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Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zooβs African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Courtesy of Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zooβs African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Courtesy of Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo, baby elephant
Updated
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona is proud to announce that Semba, the zooβs African elephant matriarch, gave birth to a calf at 3:33 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020. The female calf who weighed in at 295 pounds is healthy, standing, and nursing.
Courtesy of Reid Park ZooReid Park Zoo
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Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Shelby Maerling, left, and Savannah Beck, elephant care professionals, conduct their morning routine health checks on Samba, left, and Nandi, both African elephants, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Semba, an African elephant, walks around her enclosure at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex, height or weight of the calf is unknown.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Ann Forsberg-Doyle, a docent, keeps a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Martha Hendricks, left, and Ann Forsberg-Doyle, both docents, keep a watch on Semba, an African elephant, at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Shelby Maerling, an elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Semba, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. With arm gestures, Maerling has Semba walk backwards. Semba is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Savannah Beck, a lead elephant care professional at the Reid Park Zoo, conducts her morning routine health check on Nandi, an African elephant, on March 12, 2020. Nandi's mother, Semba, is currently pregnant and is due sometime in mid-April. The sex of the calf is unknown.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarReid Park Zoo
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Martha Hendricks, a docent, records on a tablet that Semba, an African elephant, was eating at the Reid Park Zoo on March 12, 2020. Semba is pregnant and due sometime in mid-April. Her movements and behavior are recorded every five minutes twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by staff and volunteers at the zoo.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily StarAs featured on
Almost two years later, the zoo's newest bundle of joy has arrived!
Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team has come up with three name options, all derived from Swahili. Cast your vote now.
Reid Park Zoo's elephant care team has come up with three name options, all derived from Swahili. Cast your vote now.
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